"Good morning, Sunshine!"

"Mom, what are you doing up this early?"

"You think a twenty-five pound Turkey cooks itself? This baby's been on since three this morning."

"You've been up since three?"

"No, Dad and I bought a new oven. See? It has a timer and everything. I love it. So did you sleep well?" The mischievous gleam in her mother's eye did not go unnoticed.

"What's going on?"

"What?"

"Why are you pushing Josh and I?"

"Pushing? I'm not pushing anything. I told you it was just a misunderstanding. We'll get it all worked out. We'll just tell everyone over dinner that you and Josh don't have any feelings for one another and that will be the end of it." Margie puttered around the kitchen as she talked. She kept glancing at Donna while she sliced some apples for a pie. She noticed the look on her daughter's face when she mentioned Josh.

"You don't have feelings for him. Do you?"

"It's……" Before she could answer she heard Josh coming up the stairs. He smiled at her and placed his hand on her arm as he passed by her.

"Morning, Josh. Sleep well?"

"Yes ma'am. Best nights sleep I've had since….since sometime before college, I would imagine."

"There's coffee in the pot. Help yourself dear?"

"Thanks." Josh pulled two mugs from the cabinet and poured two cups of coffee. He poured a little sugar in one before going to the fridge for some milk. After taking a sip of the mug of black coffee he handed the other to Donna. To her mother this seemed like a casual gesture. To Donna, it meant much more. She beamed at Josh as she took the cup from his hand. He winked at her before taking a seat beside her. Margie wiped her hands on a dishtowel before opening the refrigerator.

"Lunch is going to heavy enough so I suggest a light breakfast. I've got oatmeal…" Josh and Donna both made a face. "….lemon-poppyseed muffins and cereal. Take your pick." Margie laughed as they both said cereal at the same time.

"I'll get the bowls, you get the milk." Donna pointed to the fridge as she stood. Josh nodded and retrieved the gallon of milk and placed it on the counter. Donna placed the bowls beside the milk while Margie lined up three boxes of cereal.

"Corn Flakes, Raisin Bran or Fruit Loops?" Donna grabbed the box of Raisin Bran while Josh happily chose the Fruit Loops.

"Joshua." Josh spooned a large helping of the colored rings in his mouth and smiled at Donna's withering look.

"What?" He mumbled as he chewed.

"You're such a kid."

"It's part of my charm."

"Right. I forgot about the famous Lyman Charm. How many women have succumbed to the Lyman Charm? Oh, yeah, none. Unless of course you would like to count the fan club. But, let's not get into the 'Great Jail Bait Debate of 2000', okay?"

"Maybe I just haven't tried to charm the right woman." Josh said without an inkling of sarcasm. Donna stopped mid bite and looked at him. He turned and smiled shyly into his bowl. This was going to be a strange day.

888888888888

Margie looked up from the sink and smiled. From where she stood preparing lunch for her family, she could see them sitting in the living room. Donna was huddled on the floor with Ashley listening to her gush about her sixth grade boyfriend. Mary and Jane were setting the table and assembling a rather elaborate centerpiece from leaves and pine cones. The men were reclined on various pieces of furniture dividing their time between the television and the newspaper. The boys had long since excused themselves to go to the gameroom to play Playstation2.

Margie always refused help when it came to Thanksgiving dinner. But this only applied to preparation. Clean up would always be delegated. She couldn't help but smile as Donna settled against the couch between Josh's feet as she and Ashley giggled and gossiped. She looked up startled when Josh called Donna's name.

"Donna!"

"I'm right here, Josh."

"Oh, did you see this?" Josh leaned forward and put the paper in front of her face. He rested his arms across her shoulders and read to her. Donna rolled her eyes and pulled the paper from his grasp.

"Not this weekend."

"Donna!"

"No."

"But did you read it?! We've got to form a response!"

"CJ can handle it. We're off for the holidays."

"Donna." Josh whined.

"Josh."

"Fine."

"Thank you." Margie saw Bob grin over at Josh as he playfully slipped his hands around her neck and pretended to strangle her. Ashley giggled as Donna stuck out her tongue and crossed her eyes.

"Josh?" Margie called from the kitchen.

" Yes ma'am?"

"Have you called your mother?"

"Ma'am?"

"You heard me." Josh grinned at the realization that Donna was very much like her mother. Josh gently squeezed Donna's shoulders before standing to go into the kitchen. He leaned against the counter and smiled at her.

"My mother?"

"Yes dear, the woman that carried you for nine months and delivered you into this world. The woman that raised you into the brilliant man you are today. The woman that worries about you in every breath she takes. The woman…."

"May I use your phone?"

"Of course, sweetheart. Please tell her I said 'hi'." Josh laughed as he walked the length of the kitchen and took the cordless from the wall. He stared down at the phone for a moment.

"Donna!"

"What?!"

"What's Maureen's number?"

"Your mom's cousin Maureen?" Donna asked now standing in the kitchen.

"Yes."

"Hang on, it's in my planner." Donna skipped downstairs and pulled her planner from Josh's backpack. She memorized the number and returned to the kitchen. Josh handed her the phone. Margie was amazed at how they worked together. Donna dialed the number and handed the phone back to Josh.

"Maureen? Hi, it's Josh."

"Happy Thanksgiving, Josh."

"Thanks, you too. Is my mother around?"

"Sure, dear. Hold on." Josh paced the area in front of the stove while Margie drained rice over the sink.

"Joshua!"

"Hi Mom. Happy Thanksgiving."

"Are you at Margie and Bob's?"

"Yes ma'am."

"How's Donna?"

"She's fine. We got in around eight last night."

"How'd your back hold up?"

"I'm fine."

"Joshua."

"Donna rubbed some stuff on it and it made it feel better."

"She's such a dear. You're lucky to have someone like her, Joshua."

"I know." And he did. He was beginning to realize it more and more. He continued to pace while he talked, a by-product of years in constant motion. Ashley pulled a glass from the cabinet and walked around Josh to the refrigerator.

"'xcuse me Uncle Josh."

"Sure, hon." Margie grinned as Ashley gave him her best smile.

"Joshua, is there anything you'd like to tell me?" Amelia asked.

"Ma'am?"

"Is there anything you would like to tell me?"

"I love you?"

"Thank you dear. I love you too. That's not what I meant."

"What?"

"Uncle Josh?"

"Oh." Josh could hear the amusement in his mother's voice. It was no secret how his mother felt about Donna. She was not shy with her advice or her need for grandchildren.

"So, I think I'll ask again. How's Donna?" Josh scrubbed his hand over his head and paced a little faster.

"Mom." He whined.

"Don't be a schmuck, Joshua."

"She's my….."

"Try to sell that somewhere else, Joshua. I'm not buying."

"Mom!"

"Let me just say this. Can you picture your life without her?"

"No." Josh sighed.

"When are you happiest?"

"Mom?"

"Answer the question."

"You already know the answer."

"I think I do. Don't be a Shmegegi. You're supposed to be brilliant, remember?"

"I am."

"Prove it." Margie noticed the smirk settle across Josh's face.

"This is a conspiracy, isn't it?"

"Joshua! I have no idea what you're talking about." Josh stopped pacing and faced Margie. She looked up from her cooking and saw Josh grinning suspiciously at her.

"I think it is. I think that Donna and I have been set up from day one. I just want to know one thing."

"Yes?"

"Who got to Leo? You or Margie?"

"What makes you think that Leo didn't get to us?" Margie saw Josh's face pale and then turn a slight shade of pink. He cleared his throat and tried not to stutter.

"M-mom, what are you telling me?"

"Let's just say that Amy was never a good choice for you and left to your own devices you can't really see what's in front of your face."

"But what if….."

"She does."

"How do…."

"Mothers know these things. Have a good Thanksgiving, sweetheart. Give Donna a kiss for me. Tell Margie I'll call her on Sunday. I love you."

"Love you too Mom."

"Bye, dear."

"Bye." Josh pressed the disconnect button on the phone and looked at the smiling face of Margie Moss.

"You're good."

"Yes dear, we are."

"So what do I do now?"

"You're smart. I'm sure you can figure it out."

"But what if…."

"She will."

"That's spooky how you do that." Margie smiled and handed Josh a pie.

"Here, put this in the oven. And don't burn yourself."

"Yes ma'am."

"After you've done that, get out of my kitchen. I'm sure my daughter can keep you company."

"Yes ma'am." Josh tucked his head and walked back into the livingroom. He was suddenly a little nervous. Donna looked up and him and smiled. He sat back down behind her on the couch.

"How's your mom?"

"Good. She told me to give you this." He leaned forward and had every intention of giving her a peck on the cheek. Then his mother's words echoed in his mind. Donna's head was tilted back and facing him. He softly touched his lips to hers. He tried to be as casual as he could even though his heart was pounding in his chest.

"Th-thanks."

"Hey, you wanna call Sam?" Hoping a change of subject would keep him from totally screwing this up.

"Why?"

"He's eating with Toby at his brother's house." Donna was grateful for the change of subject. She felt her sister burning a hole in the back of her head. Travis was grinning like an idiot and Ashley was making kissing noises.

"CJ's eating with them too, right?"

"Yeah, I think so."

"Oh, that should be fun. Let's go." Donna stood and held out her hand to lift Josh from the couch. She felt her heart flutter when he didn't release her hand. Neither noticed as Bob gave Travis a 'thumbs-up' behind the newspaper he was holding.